When it comes to live shows, Jay-Z always seems to pull out all the stops.

In 2001, while performing at Hot 97's annual [article id="1444873"]Summer Jam[/article] concert, the King of Rap brought out Michael Jackson the King of Pop. Then, in 2004, Jigga corralled Mary J. Blige and Usher after R. Kelly split on their [article id="1493311"]Best of Both Worlds[/article] show in Madison Square Garden.

So now that Jay-Z has the chance to christen the new [article id="1694483"]Barclays Center[/article] in his native Brooklyn (with the first of eight shows kicking off on Friday night), the expectations are sky-high for the God MC.

"I really hope it's just a celebration," Jay-Z told MTV News on Wednesday night, as he walked the red carpet at his Manhattan 40/40 Club for the release of the top-selling basketball video game, [article id="1694551"]"NBA 2K13."[/article]

Anyone who has ever been to a Jay show knows that he commands a ton of crowd participation, especially when he performs favorites like "Hard Knock Life," "Jigga What, Jigga Who" and the Kanye West-produced "Encore."

"Pretty much all the concerts are loud and sing-a-longs, but I hope that this is a special thing," Jay said of his homecoming. "It's pretty much a celebration of having a team in Brooklyn — you know, again, everybody knows we hadn't had a team since the Dodgers, so it's really a happy time in Brooklyn."

Of course the team Jay is referring to is the Brooklyn Nets, the NBA basketball team which he helped relocate from new Jersey to BK as a minority owner.

Whether Jay has a list of surprise guests or any tricks up his sleeve, the veteran spitter is unlikely to slip-up and give a reveal. Through his career he has always maintained an element of surprise. Still, Jay does promise one thing for his Barclays home stand: "An amazing time."

We expect nothing less.

What would your dream Jay-Z concert consist of? List them in the comments!